Drug abuse survey: Centre sets deadline for states

Concerned over delay in the pilot project to study drug abuse in Punjab, Maharashtra and Manipur, the Centre has set a deadline for the states to complete the task by year-end.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has also assured the states of full cooperation in terms of funds and other resources, so that they can complete the project in time and submit their report.
"There is an urgent need to conduct the pilot project which has been delayed for over an year now. The Ministry has prepared a detailed plan for these states with individual deadlines and they have been asked to complete the project by this year-end," Ministry officials said here.

The survey will be conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and they will be assisted by officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and the NGO's approved by the Ministry for the job.
Social Justice Ministry recently held a meeting of all the concerned states along with officials of NCB, NACO and NGOs where a detailed plan was given to the them, they said.
"The Ministry has assured the states that all assistance will be given to them in terms of funds and other resources," the officials said.
They also said that unlike the old plan, which was aimed to conduct surveys in select districts of these states, NSSO has now been asked to conduct the project in the entire state.

Government also plans to conduct a nation-wide survey on drug abuse after completion of the pilot project.